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Autoboyography

Christina Lauren (Goodreads Author)

4.24 · Rating details · 31,079 ratings · 5,619 reviews

Three years ago, Tanner Scott’s family relocated from California to Utah, a move that nudged the bisexual teen temporarily back into the closet. Now, with one semester of high school to go, and no obstacles between him and out-of-state college freedom, Tanner plans to coast through his remaining classes and clear out of Utah.

But when his best friend Autumn dares him to tak ...more

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Hardcover, 416 pages

Published September 12th 2017 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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Community Reviews

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· 31,079 ratings · 5,619 reviews

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Feb 23, 2019 Emma Giordano rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks

4 Stars! A really remarkable read that lives up to the hype.

CW: homophobia

I have to say, I was NOT feeling this book to start. The plot felt very generic to start and I found Tanner incredibly irritating. Once the story passed into a period of cute romance, I was more into it. Finally, when shit hit the fan and everything was ruined, I was hooked. (Wonder what that say about me?) I thoroughly enjoyed the different points of conflict in the story, from the romance problems, the friend problems, 4 Stars! A really remarkable read that lives up to the hype.

CW: homophobia

I have to say, I was NOT feeling this book to start. The plot felt very generic to start and I found Tanner incredibly irritating. Once the story passed into a period of cute romance, I was more into it. Finally, when shit hit the fan and everything was ruined, I was hooked. (Wonder what that say about me?) I thoroughly enjoyed the different points of conflict in the story, from the romance problems, the friend problems, the religious complications, Sebastian's role as a mentor and Mormon missionary, even Tanner's flawed nature grew on me as it made for a good story (albeit, still infuriating). Autoboyography isn't an absolute favorite of mine, but I went through a real emotional transformation with it, making it a fairly memorable read.

I adored the exploration of sexuality in this novel. From Tanner's perspective, we have a bisexual teen who is totally secure of his identity and is able to share in that pride with his family. The way Tanner's parents support and encourage him was lovely to read and a really positive example for teens to encounter. With Sebastian, we follow the polar opposite - someone who denies their true self and is forced to hide it from everyone in their live due to harsh religious beliefs. Autoboyography really hit all the marks when it comes to discussing teen sexuality, coming out, accepting yourself, and leading your most authentic life. Though there's much conflict in the story related to Tanner and Sebastian's sexual orientation, it's far from *gay tragedy porn* and offers and insightful view into the real lives of LGBTQ+ teens today. It was super satisfying in that regard.

I also greatly enjoyed the friendship between Tanner and Autumn. It felt super realistic and captured so many different experiences of teen friends such as unrequited feelings, the effects of choosing significant others over longtime friends, and making decisions about college and the future. Truth be told, I think Autumn deserved better than Tanner and was probably my favorite character out of the whole novel because I related so strongly to her, but their relationship was raw and uncensored.

Though I have my own struggles with this novel (mostly Tanner and Sebastian being dumb 24/7), I greatly enjoyed it and completely see why it's become a favorite of the community. Those looking for satisfying stories with LGBTQ+ characters will find it with Autoboyography ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 C.G. Drews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio-books, best-of-2017, young-adult, ya-male-narrators, reread, 5-star, read-2017, contemporary, read-2018

READ #2: August 2018
I forgot how much this book freaking means to me. I'm crYING okay. I think this book will forever take up space in my heart and I'm so so glad it exists. My love for it is so personal and relatable and rereading made me genuinely tear up (shout out @ me who is generally a stoic vulcan tbh) and have my heartbreak and heal at once.

I can't even.

This is definitely in my top 10 books of all time.

(Also I did the audiobook this time and it was EXCEPTIONAL! The narrator was so so goo ...more

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Feb 15, 2018 Hailey (Hailey in Bookland) rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, owned

This was such a touching love story. There were so many obstacles along the way due to the very religious town Tanner and Sebastian were living in and I worried for them the entire time but it was a great read. I loved how it featured a bisexual main character and examined what bisexuality means, tackling some common misconceptions, and showed how difficult it can be for a gay boy who has grown up in the Mormon church. Overall, such a great book!

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Jun 24, 2018 Melanie rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Melanie by: Gabby

Shelves: young-adult, lgbtqiap, romance, read-in-2018, contemporary, audible, favorites

“A God worthy of your eternal love wouldn’t judge you for who you love while you’re here.”

Friends, I only picked this book up because it was on sale this month on Audible, even though I can never focus on audiobooks. I only started listening, because I decided to spend last night playing video games with my best friend. I only clicked play because he was telling me about his latest audiobook. I honestly believe with whole heart that the stars aligned to make me read this book, and I ...more

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Sep 23, 2017 Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m-romance, favorites

”This is how we reveal ourselves: these tiny flashes of discomfort, the reactions we can’t hide.”

“Autoboyography” was one of those books I wanted to read ever since I read the blurb. I mean there was the mention of a bisexual character that’s forced to stay in the closet because he moved to Utha and truth be told that alone was already enough to pique my interest! *lol*

Still, when I picked up the book I didn’t expect to go through so many feels and to say it touched my heart is certainly putting ...more

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Mar 05, 2017 Elle (ellexamines) rated it really liked it

Recommended to Elle by: Larry H

Shelves: x-coverporn, y-2017releases, z-2018reads, x-audiobook, y-notowned, favorite-characters, 4-star, contemporary, trauma-abuse-recovery, lgbtq

me before reading this book: love is a fake social construct
me after reading this book: love is real and it tried to fight me in the parking lot of a Denny’s

”A God worthy of your eternal love wouldn’t judge you for who you love while you’re here.”

So this was unexpectedly sad. It’s a story about a bi boy who moves to a predominantly Mormon area, and despite being closeted, quickly falls for the preacher’s son. It’s sweet. And cute. And also tears your heart out a bit.

What makes Autoboyograph ...more

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Nov 15, 2017 emma rated it did not like it

Shelves: library, contemporary, ya, nope, reviewed, unpopular-opinion, 1-and-a-half-stars, diverse, comments

Okay. I want to start out by saying that I know this book has been veryyyy important for a lot of people, and that's rad. But I had a lot of problems with it and it wasn't for me. If this resonated with ya or anything, maybe just don't read this review? It's not going to make you happy my friend I promise ya that.

So now that we have that out of the way. (I say as if there's any way on god's great green earth I'm not going to still get someone coming at me for this.)

I want to say that I strongly ...more

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Nov 06, 2018 Melissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, cute-banter, emotional, romance, unforgettable-reads

A half-Jewish, half-nothing queer kid moves to an LDS-infested town. He can’t wait to leave.

And that’s just the start of Tanner’s truth.

A straight, thirty-something, married to her high-school sweetheart, non-practicing and childless Catholic is probably not the target demographic here, but I sort of beg to differ. Shelved in the YA section of the bookstore, Autoboyography is a story rooted in love, self-identity, and the quest for acceptance—things most of us have grappled with at one tim ...more

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Jun 10, 2018 High Lady of The Night Court rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-read

It opens with a boy and a girl, a dare, and crumbs on a bed.

First off I’m rating this book 5 stars, no doubt.

The story follows Tanner, in his senior year of school, in Utah. His best friend Autumn dares him to take the Seminar, a class where the students have to write a book in 4 months. Sebastian Brother is the prodigy that wrote a book and sold it, and is now back to mentor students. And as we all know is bound to happen, Tanner and Sebastian fall in love. But the problem lies in the fact It opens with a boy and a girl, a dare, and crumbs on a bed.

First off I’m rating this book 5 stars, no doubt.

The story follows Tanner, in his senior year of school, in Utah. His best friend Autumn dares him to take the Seminar, a class where the students have to write a book in 4 months. Sebastian Brother is the prodigy that wrote a book and sold it, and is now back to mentor students. And as we all know is bound to happen, Tanner and Sebastian fall in love. But the problem lies in the fact that Sebastian and Tanner live in a society where Mormon are in the majority and Sebastian happens to be the son of a Bishop. Sebastian has never come to terms with his sexuality and is a part of a family that believes that same sex attraction is a sin and can be ignored. They would rather pretend that a person is dead rather than homosexual. Tanner on the other hand, has the most supporting family anyone could ask for, he was raised by parents who completely accept him and believe that love is everything.

I think after all this, no matter what I’ll love Tanner. The depth of emotion in each of his thoughts is truly mesmerizing. The consideration, understanding, and extraordinary amount of emotion that is a constant part of who he is always manages to surprise me. There’s moments where his thoughts or something he writes down is so poetic and skilfull it makes my heart ache. And then there’s the goofy, laid back part that makes my day. Watching him go through this part of his life left me speechless because seeing him go through so much yet stay true to himself and who is, is amazing.

I think a lot of people if put in his situation would have misunderstood something, given up, become frustrated, and maybe even would have tried to avoid going through this because the possibility of leaving them emotionally shattered was too great. And that’s why watching Tanner behave so understandingly even if his upbringing could have easily made him shun everything Sebastian stands for is so enchanting.

There is so much love tucked into each and every corner of this book it’s makes me smile every time I think about it. The love between friends, the love between family, and the love between lovers all of it was so integral to this story it kind of makes it impossible to stay too mad at the heartbreak. Tanner’s friendship with Autumn, his love for his family will always be highlights in this story. Tanner’s family is absolutely amazing. His parents are the most caring, open, understanding people in the world and watching them support him through the entirety of this story is mind blowing.

Watching this society pretend as if a person who doesn’t abide by their rules doesn’t even exist, makes me want to punch something. They want to people to change their very being just because the people they are is not acceptable to them. Every person deserves to be judged solely on their personality and all the characteristics that make them who they are not on something superficial and definitely not on their sexuality. And watching family cut off their own and disown them just because of their sexuality with no regard to the amazing people they are makes me angrier by the moment. No one should ever feel ashamed because someone looks at them in a way that makes them feel as is they’re constantly being judged for doing something wrong when there was no mistake committed at all.
The pressure society puts on people to change themselves to blend in or to influence their decisions infuriates me. And when a person’s family is a part of that oppressive society their life turns into agony.

This is definitely one of those books that makes me want to write a review at least partially worthy of it because it left such a lasting impression on my heart. I hate the fact that such an amazing story is over but I also couldn't be happier because I just read of the best contemporaries ever.

This book is a love story screaming to be heard, an announcement waiting to be made, a declaration waiting to be accepted, and most of all it’s a story of two boys who fall in love in a world trying to tear them apart.
Every single word made sense, every emotion reached out to me, and every character showed me something new. This story has earned every ounce of my love and has left an impression that will not be changed and has a place in my heart that will not be replaced.
Christina Lauren, you have my utmost respect.

"But this is your life, and it will stretch out before you, and you are the only person who can make it whatever you want it to be."
...more

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Aug 16, 2017 Cece (ProblemsOfaBookNerd) rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbtqia, anticipated-of-2017, my-books, male-protag, read-in-2017

I don't know how to talk about this book. I don't know if I'll ever be able to explain my feelings on this book and how it got to me in so many specific ways.

This book felt like a book about home. It was a story about people I grew up with, it was a story about myself and my connection to my sexuality and the religion I grew up being a part of. I saw my high school friends in character after character. I saw a boy I went to school with who grew up to marry another boy, even though it caused him I don't know how to talk about this book. I don't know if I'll ever be able to explain my feelings on this book and how it got to me in so many specific ways.

This book felt like a book about home. It was a story about people I grew up with, it was a story about myself and my connection to my sexuality and the religion I grew up being a part of. I saw my high school friends in character after character. I saw a boy I went to school with who grew up to marry another boy, even though it caused him a lot of pain. I saw myself growing away from my religion and towards falling in love with a girl. There is no way to make this review one that isn't deeply personal.

This story was hard and heartbreaking, but also lovely and sweet. It was nuanced in how it talked about religion, in how it examined the differences between religion and those who are religious. It was tough on a church that has been vicious and has handed out cruel words, while also highlighting the ways that Mormons are not an evil group of people. There are those who are wrong, without question, but there is so much depth to the way the sides of the situation are handled.

This was a love story, and a good one. It was romantic. It begins "His smile ruins me" and doesn't disappoint from there. I love these boys and their messy love story. Plus, the main character is bisexual! A bisexual boy who insists on his label and the meaning that that label has for him!

It is a story about religion and family that is deftly handled. It is fair while constantly pointing out the dangerous and divisive ways that the church comes between people. It is deeply and accurately rooted in LDS culture. I have never read a book that nailed what it feels like to grow up LDS and to grow up in Utah quite like this one did.

It is a story about teenagers being allowed to mess up, and mess up badly, but to still be able to come back from that. It is rooted in solid communication between family, friends, and partners.

And, more than anything else, it is a story that will stay with me because it felt (more than once) like being punched in the gut. It is absolutely excellent and I'm so glad that this book exists.

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but that in no way changes my review* ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Claudia Ramírez rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017, i-ship-them, cover-love

MY PRECIOUS BABIES. Sebastian, let me adopt you.

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Mar 31, 2017 Gabby rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cover-lust, books-to-reread-in-the-future, 5-star-books, arc-or-won-or-received, contemporary, romance, all-time-favorites, young-adult, emotional, inspirational

Just finished my reread of this book, and it was just as great the second time. Sebastian is so precious and he must be PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. This romance is just really cute and I was smiling throughout this entire book, I listened to the audiobook this time around and it was great!

Here's my original review:
My review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S8lb...

"His smile ruins me."
Holy shit, you guys. Autoboyography is my favorite book from Christina Lauren thus far, and that says a lot conside ...more

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Jul 05, 2017 emi rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018, lgbtq, 4-stars, kindle-library, male-protagonist

3.5/5 stars

"I don’t actually care if you break my heart, Sebastian. I went into this knowing it could happen and I gave it to you anyway. But I don’t want you to break your own. You have so much space in your heart for your church, but does it have space for you?"

Let's just start this review with a disclosure, shall we?

A main theme of this book is the Mormon/LDS religion. Now I am a very proud, tapir-loving exmormon, meaning I was raised and baptized in the LDS church before realizing that the ...more

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Nov 14, 2017 Larry H rated it it was amazing

Yes, Leo, me, too. All the feels.

I couldn't love Christina Lauren's Autoboyography any more if I tried. As I've said so many times, I am so happy that young adult books like this exist and are readily available in today's world, to help this generation realize that whatever their problem is, they will be able to overcome it, and thrive. But at the same time, I can't help but be perhaps a tad bitter that not one book like this existed when I was growing up, because I sure could've used some encouragement through the struggles, even if it was only fictional!

Tanner's family moved to Provo, Utah when he was 15 years old. It's a tough time to relocate your life from a liberal city like Palo Alto, especially if you're a bisexual teenager moving to a predominantly Mormon town—when your family isn't Mormon. Tanner's parents encourage him to keep his sexuality under wraps until he graduates and leaves Provo, not because they're embarrassed or they disapprove, but they don't want him to have to deal with the scrutiny and criticism of the Mormons in the community.

With one more semester left in high school, Tanner's best friend Autumn encourages him to enroll in "The Seminar," an exclusive high school class in which every student will write an entire book by the end of the semester. Even though Tanner can be kind of lazy when it comes to meeting deadlines, he figures, how hard could it be?

"'Come on. I moved here when I was fifteen—which I think we can agree is the worst time to move from Palo Alto, California to Provo, Utah—with a mouth full of metal and no friends. I have stories.' Not to mention I'm a half-Jewish queer kid in a straight and Mormon town. I don't say that last part, not even to Autumn."

When "The Seminar" begins, it upends Tanner in a way he never expected. The prodigal student from last year's class, Sebastian Brother, whose novel was so good the teacher sent it to publishers and the book is about to be released to great fanfare, is helping mentor this year's students. From the minute Tanner sees Sebastian, he is utterly rocked by his attraction to him, and it's not long before Tanner has fallen head over heels in love with him. But given that Sebastian is the son of an LDS bishop, and a model student, there's no way he reciprocates Tanner's feelings, right?

"I can't read him. I can't grasp him. I have no idea what he's thinking and if he's messing with me or if he really is this good, but never before have I wanted so fiercely to lean forward and put my mouth on someone's neck, begging them to want me."

The harder he falls for Sebastian, the more Tanner's life is disrupted. He's never even come out to Autumn, and their relationship is kind of complicated, so he can't share his feelings with her. His parents want him to be happy, but they're very wary of him getting involved with anyone affiliated with the Church, since they know it won't—it can't—end well. He should just stop obsessing over Sebastian, ask one of his female friends to the prom, and hold off just a little longer.

One problem: "His smile ruins me. The feeling makes me uneasy, a dramatic lurch that tells me I need to have him or I won't be okay."

This book works for me on so many levels. The characters are tremendously well-developed and they're not 100 percent sympathetic; they're each selfish in their own ways. While the story's trajectory is, in a lot of ways, unsurprising, I was so happy that the plot didn't blunder into some of the stereotypical pitfalls I expected given the subject matter.

I also was pleased that the book wasn't too heavy-handed in how it addressed Mormons' views on homosexuality—while it was accurate in general, it didn't make every Mormon out to be a villain, although it did question how parents could put religion over their children's happiness.

Unsurprisingly, Autoboyography gave me all the feels, and I read the entire book in a day. As I sit and write this review just a few hours after a majority of Australian citizens voted in favor of marriage equality, I am encouraged that one day books like this will become the exception and not the rule, because people will accept everyone's sexuality as just another element of their identity, like eye color or height.

For now, though, it's great that books like this exist, because everyone needs to understand that love is love, and everyone deserves to love whomever they choose.

See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....

...more

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Jun 20, 2018 destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries] rated it really liked it

Recommended to destiny ♡⚔♡ by: Jue.

Shelves: diverse-reads, owned-physical, lgbtqiap, young-adult, contemporary

His smile ruins me.

I should have reviewed this when I read it almost a year ago, but now it’s been too long and I don’t remember everything I want to say. 🤷‍♀️ Whoops. A few pros and cons that I remember:

P R O S:
- Tanner’s family is super supportive of his sexuality
- Tanner and Sebastian can be super cute together
- I laughed a lot
- while the book calls out a lot of what is hard about being queer and Mormon, it also features some reasons why people might want to stay in the LDS church

...more

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Apr 19, 2018 shady boots rated it it was amazing

Shelves: the-gay-agenda, all-time-faves, 2017-faves, covergasm, i-just-have-a-lot-of-feelings, read-in-2018, fluffy, hilarious, oh-my-god-marry-me, heroes-i-adore

I'M GAY I'M GAY I'M GAY I'M GAAAAAAAAAAY

Man, it always feels good to say it out loud. Though I have to remain closeted in my real life for my own safety and well-being, thank god for the internet. I can be as unabashedly, unequivocally and unapologetically gay as I want and it's such a liberating thing.

I guess that's why I harbored a lot of envy towards Tanner and also related very much to Sebastian. Here is Tanner; a bisexual boy who has very liberal, queer-positive parents who love and support ...more

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Apr 15, 2019 Whitney Atkinson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019, lgbtqiap

4.5 stars

This is my first time reading Christina Lauren's YA works, and I loved it. It captures the perfect balance of funny yet meaningful writing and dialogue and character traits, which I really enjoyed. But what shines through in this book, for me, is the discussion of religion and homophobia, especially the denial, guilt, and shame that comes with being non-straight in a community of bible thumpers. Living in Texas, I understood Sebastian's predicament almost painfully, and so seeing how he ...more

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Feb 11, 2019 Riley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bisexual, lgbtq, m-m

i have a lot of feelings about this book right now.

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Jan 16, 2019 Natasha Polis rated it it was amazing

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH! I listened to the audiobook and was blown away. I love that love and religion were played against each other for a modern high stakes romance yet not demonizing either side. So happy I read this!

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Aug 14, 2019 Warda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtqia, library-reads

I wanted tears and I wanted laughter and I got them.

This book was intense to read. Not only because of the connection Sebastian and Tanner formed but to also read of the struggle one goes through when the people that are supposed to love you the most, love you unconditionally, don’t. It was suffocating to read at times, and I felt the claustrophobic air that comes with having to hide a huge part of your identity from the people that you care about. But mostly the damage you do to yourself when ...more

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Jul 14, 2018 jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

‘i think a god worthy of your eternal love wouldnt judge you for who you love while youre here.’

i know quotes can sometimes make for lazy reviews, but i kept coming back to this again and again.

i generally tend to shy away from books where religion is a main plot device because i feel like it is a very personal and individualistic matter. but i was always seeing so many good things about this book, so i decided to give it a try. and i dont regret it.

i dont really have much to say other than ...more

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Jul 12, 2018 Sana rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-want-to-reread, contemporary, im-all-kinds-of-shook, romance, sexsexsex, young-adult, v-emotionally-moving

having batman run me over in his bat mobile would hurt less. oh my god. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

this book was fluffy but it was also so sad, I DIDN'T ACTUALLY EXPECT TO HAVE MY SOUL CRUSHED WHAT THE FUCK. but thank you Christina Lauren for crushing it anyways.

no review, goodnight. i am tears.

------
i want this book to crush me, thanks.

also, this cover's so pretty. i want to eat it. ...more

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Sep 23, 2019 Kai rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned, queer

“A God worthy of your eternal love wouldn’t judge you for who you love while you’re here.”

This. Right there. I’m not a believer, really, but that might mostly be because I grew up in a society that worshipped a God who only loved conditionally. And to this day it’s the reason why religion is a red flag for me, especially as a gay person. You cannot preach love and give hate. You cannot preach freedom and deny it to others. And yet, they all do it.

My expectations were mile high. That rating! And “A God worthy of your eternal love wouldn’t judge you for who you love while you’re here.”

This. Right there. I’m not a believer, really, but that might mostly be because I grew up in a society that worshipped a God who only loved conditionally. And to this day it’s the reason why religion is a red flag for me, especially as a gay person. You cannot preach love and give hate. You cannot preach freedom and deny it to others. And yet, they all do it.

My expectations were mile high. That rating! And the things I heard from friends whose opinion I trust. The first 100 pages or so were just as I’d expected. Fluffy, cute – a queer kid falling in love with someone who is off-limits for several reasons. He’s a guy, he’s basically a teacher, he’s Mormon. And all of that just added a layer of excitement and attraction to the story that made we want to scream out loud. I loved every single page, felt the butterflies, the thrill of a new crush, the hidden glances, the blushing, the loaded air between you and your crush, the promise of a first meeting, a first kiss, a first tender declaration of “I like you”. I expected the whole story to keep this light note. I knew it would get emotional, maybe even heart-breaking, but overall the story had a much heavier note than I’d thought.

Okay, I hate myself for doing this. It’s not the first time that I really liked a book but kept criticising it. I’m convinced that the people who read my reviews will shake their heads and think to themselves “Why did he even bother giving it such a good rating when he can’t shut up about its flaws?” I have no satisfying answer for that. You just gotta deal.

Let’s start with Sebastian. I didn’t like him particularly. Once I got over my crush – remember the hot teaching assistant who happens to be Mormon and therefore forbidden af – there wasn’t much left of Sebastian that I cared for. I will not diminish his struggle with his sexuality and his faith. People who are hurt and confused lash out and hurt others. But his façade annoyed me. His fake smiles, his politeness, they rendered him unreal. I can’t even tell you what Tanner saw in him apart from his looks and niceness. Also, that dude is supposed to be an extremely talented and promising fantasy author? I don’t see it. We even got two chapters from his POV and nothing about him indicated that he’d be particularly creative, that he’s a dreamer, a nerd, a fantasy enthusiast. But that’s just a minor detail (one that keeps bugging me though!)

Next one: Tanner’s family. I don’t know. They’re too picture perfect, too annoyingly happy and involved in Tanner’s feelings, his relationships, his sex life. Which shouldn’t be a bad thing, right? I love the fact that his family is so caring and supportive. It was simply a tad over the top. There’s always a bit of awkwardness and I’ve seen other books do it better (Jack of Hearts and other Parts, Full Disclosure). Also, Hailey, Tanner’s sister, should have received more attention. The few scenes she had were extremely funny and I would have loved to see more of her, maybe get a bit of character development.

And last but not least, the page count. I think that if you’d cut 50 or even 20 pages of the book, if it would’ve gone through another stage of editing, you’d have a more polished, slightly better-paced version. Once or twice I caught myself skim-reading a page because I wanted the action to move forward, because I got frustrated with the on-and-off relationship.

Nevertheless, if you’re still reading this, I’d say pick up this book. You’ll have a great time reading it. It’s a good love story, it has great bisexual representation, it shows the struggle of what it means to be gay as well as religious.

Find more of my books on Instagram ...more

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Jun 15, 2019 BernLuvsBooks rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, ya-books

Oh, Christina Lauren - how do you repeatedly capture my heart in such a vise grip? Tanner and Sebastian - so sweet, so cute, so heartbreaking, so angsty & thought-provoking. How could I not fall in love with their love story? This book gave me all the feels.

Tanner is a bi-sexual high school senior living in Mormon Utah. Due to the environment, he is "in the closet" to everyone, except his immediate family. When his best friend, Autumn, convinces him to take The Seminar during their last semester ...more

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Sep 12, 2017 Christy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-audio, 2017-four-stars, 2017-ya-challenge

4 stars!!!

“description"/

Autoboyography is a great coming of age/YA story. This was much different than what I’m used to when I pick up a Christina Lauren novel, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well written it was!

Tanner is a high-school senior who is half-jewish and bisexual. He lives in the mormon capital of the US. Tanner takes a writing class his last year of school and Sebastian, who previously graduated is helping out. Tanner and Sebastian have an instant connection and it goes beyond anything either one of them has ever felt. While Tanner is writing his book, it sort of turns into a story of self discovery and a love-story. His and Sebastian’s love story.

Sebastian Brothers has lived his life trying to please everyone. His family, God, they’re the most important thing to him. He’s tried to overlook the fact that he’s attracted to guys, and overall it hasn’t been too hard to do. Until Tanner. He can’t help it. There is something different about Tanner. Something he can’t stay away from.

These two were so darn sweet together. I loved watching their journey. Even though both of them came from different families and different paths in life, they fell hard for one another.

“I want to know everything about you,” he says into me, frantic now, his mouth moving over my jaw, stubble scraping my neck. “I’ll tell you anything.” “Are you my boyfriend?” he asks, and then sucks my bottom lip before laughing at himself, as if this isn’t the most amazing thing anyone has ever said to me in the history of my life. “Um, yes.” Boyfriend. Yes.

Autoboyography is a sweet first love story, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a story about finding yourself, of pushing the boundaries of life, and of coming to terms with who you are. It’s a story that will be pertinent to many people- even if you aren’t gay, bisexual, or religious. I loved the message of the book and found the story to be important. It’s a heart-warming read and one I recommend!

  *I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator that voiced Tanner did an incredible job! For those of you who are audio-book lovers, check this one out! ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 Judith rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, young-love, family, insta-attraction, religion, favourite-2018

4.5

I'm just a bisexual half-Jewish kid who's falling in love with an LDS guy

More pics,

(view spoiler)

A dare that would change two young lives forever...

Reading Tanner and Sebastian's story was special,truly special.I devoured this in less than 24hours.It's a beautifully told YA love story....not always pretty as they face prejudices and the expectations of religion and family.

Tanner and his family moved to Utah three years ago.While his ...more

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Dec 29, 2017 Joce (squibblesreads) rated it it was amazing

FULL VIDEO REVIEW AT THIS LINK!
I’m SCREAMING. I’m destroyed. Granted, I have a major weak spot and see through rose colored glasses because of my personal history when I read books that involve romance + writing but omg. ...more

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Apr 07, 2018 may ➹ rated it really liked it

Shelves: fave-2018, read-2018, library, buddy-reads, ownvoices, pov-3rd, young-adult, contemporary, diverse, rep-lgbtqiap-author

SOMEONE HOLD ME LOVE IS TRUE LOVE IS REAL AND I’LL NEVER ACHIEVE LOVE LIKE THE LOVE TANNER AND SEBASTIAN HAVE FOR EACH OTHER\

I just... god. this book is, objectively speaking, not perfect. it has flaws, and it even has insta-love, which if you know me is one of my most hated book tropes ever. but oh my GOD the way it was written kept me so engaged and I was so invested in this story that I literally didn’t realize it was insta-love halfway through???? (though I’m not sure I would’ve been as inve ...more

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Apr 19, 2020 April (Aprilius Maximus) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, favourites

“But this is your life, and it will stretch out before you, and you are the only person who can make it whatever you want it to be.”

representation: jewish, queer characters (bisexual [own voices], gay, lesbian), mormon, tongan, hungarian/swedish rep.

[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]

★★★★★

spoilery thoughts:
- the friendship between autumn and tanner is everything and so well developed
"I love you, but only a little."
- the commentary on being bis “But this is your life, and it will stretch out before you, and you are the only person who can make it whatever you want it to be.”

representation: jewish, queer characters (bisexual [own voices], gay, lesbian), mormon, tongan, hungarian/swedish rep.

[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]

★★★★★

spoilery thoughts:
- the friendship between autumn and tanner is everything and so well developed
"I love you, but only a little."
- the commentary on being bisexual?? amazing.
"There’s the devil on one shoulder, the ignorant perception that I get from all sides, both inside and outside the queer community, who say bisexuality is really about indecision, that it’s impossible for bisexuals to be satisfied with one person and the label is a way not to commit."
- the constant discussion on religion and challenging harmful beliefs????? A+
“Mom didn’t want to break up with her parents but, like any normal, compassionate human, couldn’t justify alienating someone she loved because of a bunch of old rules in a book.”
- supportive parents!!!! Tanner’s parents are so incredible.
“my parents have made our home a gay, gay den of pride.”
“...LGBTQ essays, PFLAG pamphlets, and rainbow T-shirts are handed to me at spontaneous moments with a kiss and a lingering look of pride. Mom will slide the occasional bumper sticker into my pillowcase, to be found when the sharp corner meets my cheek at night.” UWU
- but then again, hate goes both ways and his parents can be kind of hypocritical when being so against him dating an LDS guy.
- the fact that Sebastian is lowkey shocked when Tanner tells him his parents are fine with him being bi is so sad.
- when it goes into the background of LDS (the authors obviously did a lot of research) and I know that not all mormon people agree with a lot of the traditional mormon views and rules, it still made me so angry and upset reading about it (e.g. how within the LDS church, the hierarchy is exclusively male; the fact that they used to support conversion therapy; that they believe sex and marriage should only happen between a man and a woman; and the change in a handbook that said members in same-sex marriages would be considered apostates (or defectors from the church) and that children living in those households would be excluded from church activities until they’re old enough to renounce the practice of homosexuality and join.
“In summary: love and respect, but only if you’re willing to live by their rules… and if not, then exclusion is the only answer.”
- when Sebastian comes out to Tanner, it should be a happy moment, but instead he’s terrified and it’s so sad.
- their romance actually gave me butterflies tho… like wow.
“We’re sitting on a rock, side by side, arms touching, and I know this moment will be seared into my history forever.”
- love how this doesn’t demonise all LDS people. I like that throughout this book, Tanner also has his views on LDS people challenged as well.
- I also love how Sebastian isn’t giving up God or religion when he finally challenges his own beliefs. The book isn’t saying that religion is bad, it’s saying that YOU get to choose what to believe in.
“Sometimes I wonder whether it’s God or the church that feels the strongest about these things.”
- I will never understand Sebastian’s parents and how they can be so hateful. When they find out about a member of the church marrying another guy, they immediately asked, “how are his parents coping?” and then tanner thinks “It can’t have escaped Sebastian’s notice that his mom didn’t ask about Brett or whether he was happy; she asked about his parents, almost like having a gay son is something they have to manage, to explain, to deal with." and the fact that they don’t talk to their son after he comes out and will only accept him back into their lives after he just ‘decides’ to stop being gay????? wtf. The things they say to their son are absolutely unforgivable in my eyes.
- Sebastian’s character development is top tier. TOP TIER, I TELL YOU.
- I have no idea if any of this made any sense at all, but I had a lot of thoughts and I had to write them down because this is one of my new favourite books <3

“But did you ever look inside yourself while you prayed and try to find the seed of who you are in there, instead of just asking God over and over for permission to look?”

trigger warnings: loss of loved ones (in the past) due to war, mention of homelessness and past suicide attempt by a family member (due to being disowned by parents after coming out), really shit parents, homophobic slurs. ...more

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Nov 21, 2019 demi. ♡ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtq, owned-physical

❥ 2.5 / 5 stars

[ unpopular opinion ]

Once again that I read a book without reading its synopsis because I trusted the average rating and I thought I was going to love it eventually but it turned out that I didn’t enjoy it as much as everyone else did.

The story started with the trope that as some of you guys might already know, is far from my liking. An insta-love.

When Sebastian first walked into the novel-writing class of which Tanner was a member, they both instantly knew that there was somethin ...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
POV	2	8	Aug 03, 2020 08:32AM
Play Book Tag: [Poll Ballot] Autoboyography by Christina Lauren 4 stars	1	8	Jun 01, 2020 08:57AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Autoboyography by Christina Lauren - Restarting June 10th 2020	47	125	May 20, 2020 12:24AM
Play Book Tag: (Poll Ballot Tally) Autoboyography by Christina Lauren - 4.5 stars	7	15	Apr 30, 2020 07:01PM
YA LGBT Books: * January 2018 BotM - Autoboyography (poss spoilers)	31	192	Apr 03, 2020 10:46AM
Other Christina Lauren books	1	9	Jul 25, 2019 04:33PM
Queer Book Review: Autoboyography	2	11	Apr 30, 2019 07:23AM

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About Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren

31,816 followers

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced sixteen New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 30+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)

W ...more